Sensor System

Abstract

A sensor system comprises an optical sensor which includes an imaging device and a detection device which defines a rear side of the optical sensor, a radar transceiver unit for generating radar waves to be transmitted and for receiving radar waves to be detected, and at least one antenna element configured to transfer radar waves from the radar transceiver unit to an exterior of the sensor system and from the exterior of the sensor system to the radar transceiver unit. The radar transceiver unit is located at the rear side of the optical sensor.

1 . A sensor system comprising:
 an optical sensor which includes an imaging device and a detection device which defines a rear side of the optical sensor,   a radar transceiver unit for generating radar waves to be transmitted and for receiving radar waves to be detected, and   at least one antenna element configured to transfer radar waves from the radar transceiver unit to an exterior of the sensor system and from the exterior of the sensor system to the radar transceiver unit,   wherein the radar transceiver unit is located at the rear side of the optical sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sensor system further comprises a common housing which encloses the optical sensor, the radar transceiver unit and the at least one antenna element.   
     
     
         3 . The sensor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 an outer surface of the imaging device defines a front side of the sensor system, and   the at least one antenna element is configured to transfer radar waves from the radar transceiver unit to the front side of the sensor system.   
     
     
         4 . The sensor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one antenna element extends in parallel with an optical axis of the optical sensor.   
     
     
         5 . The sensor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one antenna element includes at least one air waveguide antenna.   
     
     
         6 . The sensor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one antenna element includes a set of transmission elements and a set of receiving elements, each set being arranged in separate spatial regions within the sensor system.   
     
     
         7 . The sensor system according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the set of transmission elements and the set of receiving elements are aligned along a respective predefined direction.   
     
     
         8 . The sensor system according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the predefined directions are each arranged linearly along a respective line, and   the two lines are angled with respect to each other.   
     
     
         9 . The sensor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sensor system further includes a first printed circuit board and a feed device for the at least one antenna element, and   the radar transceiver unit and the feed device are arranged at the same side of the first printed circuit board.   
     
     
         10 . The sensor system according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the sensor system further includes a second printed circuit board associated with the detection device of the optical sensor, and   the radar transceiver unit and the feed device are arranged at a side of the first printed circuit board facing the second printed circuit board.   
     
     
         11 . The sensor system according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the sensor system further includes a second printed circuit board associated with the detection device of the optical sensor, and   the radar transceiver unit and the feed device are arranged at a side of the first printed circuit board being averted from the second printed circuit board.   
     
     
         12 . The sensor system according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the detection device of the optical sensor is arranged at a first side of the first printed circuit board, and   the radar transceiver unit and the feed device are arranged at a second side of the first printed circuit board being opposite to the first side.   
     
     
         13 . The sensor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the imaging device includes at least one lens.   
     
     
         14 . The sensor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the imaging device is surrounded by an enclosure consisting of a solid material, and   the enclosure includes at least one slot forming the at least one antenna element.   
     
     
         15 . The sensor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 an end of the at least one antenna element is covered by a radome or a closure having a high transmittivity for radar waves.